Angular dependence of auger electron emission from Cu (111) and (100) surfaces

Experimental angular emission profiles of the M_2,3M_4,5M_4,562 eV Cu Auger electrons from clean copper (100) and (111) surfaces in several azimuths are presented. A simple single scattering theory to account for elastic scattering of the Auger electrons by other ion cores in the solid is presented, and calculations have been performed to assess the importance of this process in contributing to the observed angular dependence. These calculations produce angular structure having a similar magnitude and temperature dependence to that observed experimentally, and some featural similarity in peak positions or shapes. It appears that elastic scattering is an important source of angular dependence, and that studies of adsorbed species on surfaces should provide a very sensitive method of surface structure determination.     

A general synthesis of iminosugars

1-Deoxynojirimycin, 1-deoxymannojirimycin, and 1-deoxygalactostatin have been synthesized by epoxidation of tri-O-acetyl-6-deoxyhex-5-enopyranosyl azides followed by methanolysis, deacetylation, and catalytic hydrogenation. 1,6-Dideoxygalactostatin was obtained by the reaction of 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-6-deoxy-beta-L-arabino-hex-5-enopyranosyl azide with NIS in methanol followed by deacetylation and catalytic hydrogenation. The overall yields were 4.4-23.5% over seven to nine steps.     

Investigation of Steric Influences on Hydrogen‐Bonding Motifs in Cyclic Ureas by Using X‐Ray,Neutron, and Computational Methods

A series of urea‐derived heterocycles, 5N‐substituted hexahydro‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐ones, has been prepared and their structures have been determined for the first time. This family of compounds only differ in their substituent at the 5‐position (which is derived from the corresponding primary amine), that is, methyl ( 1 ), ethyl ( 2 ), isopropyl ( 3 ), tert‐butyl ( 4 ), benzyl ( 5 ), N,N‐(diethyl)ethylamine ( 6 ), and 2‐hydroxyethyl ( 7 ). The common heterocyclic core of these molecules is a cyclic urea, which has the potential to form a hydrogen‐bonding tape motif that consists of self‐associative (8) dimers. The results from X‐ray crystallography and, where possible, Laue neutron crystallography show that the hydrogen‐bonding motifs that are observed and the planarity of the hydrogen bonds appear to depend on the steric hindrance at the α‐carbon atom of the N substituent. With the less‐hindered substituents, methyl and ethyl, the anticipated tape motif is observed. When additional methyl groups are added onto the α‐carbon atom, as in the isopropyl and tert‐butyl derivatives, a different 2D hydrogen‐bonding motif is observed. Despite the bulkiness of the substituents, the benzyl and N,N‐(diethyl)ethylamine derivatives have methylene units at the α‐carbon atom and, therefore, display the tape motif. The introduction of a competing hydrogen‐bond donor/acceptor in the 2‐hydroxyethyl derivative disrupts the tape motif, with a hydroxy group interrupting the N? H???O?C interactions. The geometry around the hydrogen‐bearing nitrogen atoms, whether planar or non‐planar, has been confirmed for compounds 2 and 5 by using Laue neutron diffraction and rationalized by using computational methods, thus demonstrating that distortion of O‐C‐N‐H torsion angles occurs to maintain almost‐linear hydrogen‐bonding interactions.     

Synthesis and evaluation of a series of novel 2-substituted poly(allylalcohol) side chain liquid crystalline oligomers exhibiting ferroelectricity

The recently published Baylis-Hillman methodology has been used to prepare a number of side chain liquid crystalline poly(allylalcohols) incorporating a ferroelectric mesogenic side chain. These poly(allylalcohols) exhibited wide range S*_C phases and, in the case of two of these materials, low glass transition temperatures. The transition temperatures and phase behaviour of the SCLC poly(allylalcohols) were compared to acrylate and methacrylate SCLC oligomers containing a similar mesogenic side chain. The response times for two poly(allylalcohols) exhibiting low glass transition temperatures were also measured over a wide temperature range. Although the poly(allylalcohols) had comparable response times to the analogous acrylate and methacrylate SCLCP, they showed the greater temperature dependence of the response time. However, at 39°C one of the SCLC poly(allylalcohols) showed a response time of 65 ms.     

Determination of betaines as ultraviolet-absorbing esters

A method is described for the estimation of fully N-methylated amino acids (betaines) in plant extracts. After partial purification of aqueous extracts with ion-exchange resins, a crown ether and potassium phosphate buffer are used to facilitate the esterification of betaines with α, p-dibromoacetophenone, p-nitrobenzyl bromide or α-bromo-p-tolunitrile. The esters are isolated with dilute sulphuric acid and chloroform; 10–200 nmol can be determined spectrophotometrically, and smaller amounts by high-performance liquid chromatography.     

Detecting deviations from pure EOF during CE separations

CE separations are known for their high separation efficiencies. In systems with EOF, the high efficiencies benefit from the flat, plug profile that is characteristic of EOF. When a velocity gradient is present, such as in separations which have nonuniform buffer ionic strength, surface adsorption or differences in the height of the ends of the capillary, a parabolic flow component is introduced. This deviation from purely EOF yields increased peak dispersion and a subsequent decrease in separation performance. This work details a rapid method for detecting deviations from ideal plug flow during the course of a separation using the radially averaged flow profile of a photobleached fluorophore added to the BGE. By comparing the ratio of two different data analysis procedures, deviations from ideal plug flow can be detected. This method allows rapid measurement of flow character and does not interfere with the concurrent separation. We demonstrate easy detection of the onset of hydrodynamic flow induced by both gravity siphoning and an ionic strength buffer discontinuity. A brief analysis of the radially averaged peak shapes is also presented.     

The Anti-Inflammatory Effect of a γ-Lactone Isolated from Ostrich Oil of Struthio camelus (Ratite) and Its Formulated Nano-Emulsion in Formalin-Induced Paw Edema

The ostrich oil of Struthio camelus (Ratite) found uses in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory in eczema and contact dermatitis. The anti-inflammatory effect of a γ-lactone (5-hexyl-3H-furan-2-one) isolated from ostrich oil and its formulated nano-emulsion in formalin-induced paw edema was investigated in this study. Ostrich oil was saponified using a standard procedure; the aqueous residue was fractionated, purified, and characterized as γ-lactone (5-hexyl-3H-furan-2-one) through the interpretation of IR, NMR, and MS analyses. The γ-lactone was formulated as nano-emulsion using methylcellulose (MC) for oral solubilized form. The γ-lactone methylcellulose nanoparticles (γ-lactone-MC-NPs) were characterized for their size, shape, and encapsulation efficiency with a uniform size of 300 nm and 59.9% drug content. The γ-lactone was applied topically, while the formulated nanoparticles (NPs) were administered orally to rats. A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (diclofenac gel) was used as a reference drug for topical use and ibuprofen suspension for oral administration. Edema was measured using the plethysmograph method. Both γ-lactone and γ-lactone-MC-NPs showed reduction of formalin-induced paw edema in rats and proved to be better than the reference drugs; diclofenac gel and ibuprofen emulsion. Histological examination of the skin tissue revealed increased skin thickness with subepidermal edema and mixed inflammatory cellular infiltration, which were significantly reduced by the γ-lactone compared to the positive control (p-value = 0.00013). Diuretic and toxicity studies of oral γ-lactone-MC-NPs were performed. No diuretic activity was observed. However, lethargy, drowsiness, and refusal to feeding observed may limit its oral administration.     

In vitro characterization of an electroactive carbon-nanotube-based nanofiber scaffold for tissue engineering

In an effort to reduce organ replacement and enhance tissue repair, there has been a tremendous effort to create biomechanically optimized scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. In contrast, the development and characterization of electroactive scaffolds has attracted little attention. Consequently, the creation and characterization of a carbon nanotube based poly(lactic acid) nanofiber scaffold is described herein. After 28 d in physiological solution at 37 °C, a change in the mass, chemical properties and polymer morphology is seen, while the mechanical properties and physical integrity are unaltered. No adverse cytotoxic affects are seen when mesenchymal stem cells are cultured in the presence of the scaffold. Taken together, these data auger well for electroactive tissue engineering.

     

A model of the effects of authority on consensus formation in adaptive networks: Impact on network topology and robustness

Opinions of individuals in real social networks are arguably strongly influenced by external determinants, such as the opinions of those perceived to have the highest levels of authority. In order to model this, we have extended an existing model of consensus formation in an adaptive network by the introduction of a parameter representing each agent’s level of ‘authority’, based on their opinion relative to the overall opinion distribution. We found that introducing this model, along with a randomly varying opinion convergence factor, significantly impacts the final state of converged opinions and the number of interactions required to reach that state. We also determined the relationship between initial and final network topologies for this model, and whether the final topology is robust to node removals. Our results indicate firstly that the process of consensus formation with a model of authority consistently transforms the network from an arbitrary initial topology to one with distinct measurements in mean shortest path, clustering coefficient, and degree distribution. Secondly, we found that subsequent to the consensus formation process, the mean shortest path and clustering coefficient are less affected by both random and targeted node disconnection. Speculation on the relevance of these results to real world applications is provided.